Episode 12

Santiago ushered Larissa into his home where a doctor friend awaited them. Swiftly, she was taken to a surgery room that Santiago had prepared in case of personal emergencies, yet this time it was for someone he dearly loved. Gabriel, the doctor, led her into the room, leaving Santiago on the other side, utterly distraught.

Time dragged on without any word on Larissa's condition, intensifying Santiago’s worry.

His steadfast companion Daniel was by his side.

"Don't fret, she'll pull through," Daniel consoled.

"I should have protected her, but it was the reverse; she saved me. She killed those men to protect me."

"Who would've thought, eh? You saved by a girl."

"Shut up! I'm not in the mood."

"She's strong. She’ll make it."

"If Larissa gets through this, everything changes. I'll tell her the truth and make her my wife."

"What?? Marry her?"

"Absolutely! She risked her life for me, and I love her! The least I can do is marry her."

"And if she doesn't reciprocate? Have you thought about that? She always dismisses you."

"She’s aloof because she’s still shaken by what happened, but I’ll try to help her."

"Isn't that too much?"

"She went above and beyond, and now she’s on the other side of this door fighting for her life."

"We'll see how it all turns out."

An angry glance shot from Santiago to Daniel.

"Come on, Santiago. You’re my good friend, but you must realize if she doesn’t want a relationship with you, or if her trauma persists, you’ll never be happy together. No intimacy, no children, which you've always wanted."

"Today she showed she’s confronting her fears. That man was about to assault her, and she stood up to him."

Suddenly, the door swung open and Gabriel emerged in full surgical attire, his face beaming.

"The operation was a success!"

Overjoyed, Santiago and Daniel hugged each other.

"I want to see her!" Santiago exclaimed, grinning broadly.

"You can, but it'd be better to move her to a room for recovery. Do you know where we should take her? She needs rest and IV fluids."

"Take her to my room; she’ll be more comfortable there."

"Okay, but where will you sleep?"

"I’ll sleep with her!"

"You can't disturb her. She needs to be alone in that bed."

"Fine, I’ll arrange another bed beside her."

After moving Larissa to the room, Santiago carefully embraced her once everything was set up and lay down, extending his hand close to Larissa, staying awake all night admiring her.

As time passed, Larissa awoke feeling strange in an unfamiliar bed. She got up, looked around, and upon reaching the right side of the bed, found Santiago asleep. Jumping out of bed, startled and noticing her clothes were changed, she inadvertently woke Santiago, who attempted to calm her, as she was still injured.

"What are you doing?" Santiago asked.

"What are you doing? Why am I here?" Larissa questioned.

"I was just taking care of you. You’re wounded," Santiago said, indicating her injury.

"What happened?"

"You were shot, but you're safe now. Just rest. This is the most comfortable room, and I couldn’t leave you alone, you understand?"

"We got out, thank God! I feared we wouldn’t make it, or I’d be killed without knowing who I am."

Larissa lay back down in Santiago’s bed.

"Do you want anything for breakfast? Whatever you want."

"No, thank you. I'm not hungry."

"How come? You need to eat; you’ve lost a lot of blood."

"But I still have no appetite. Have you spoken to the girls? Did you tell them I'm here?"

"Why should I tell them?"

"Because they must be worried about me."

"They’ll probably think we spent the night having sex, don’t you think?"

"Ah yes, of course! You're right, how silly of me," Larissa said, smacking her forehead.

Larissa tried to rise from the bed again but the pain immobilized her. Yet, the thought of her friends assuming she was in bed with Santiago terrified her. She didn’t like giving explanations, even though they might not fully believe her and would want many details.

"I should go home," Larissa said, concerned.

"No, no! You know you're wounded, so you're staying here."

"I don’t care what you say; I want to leave. If you won’t take me, I’ll find a taxi to go home," Larissa retorted, irritated.

"You know what? Do as you please," Santiago angrily got up and walked to the door. "I’ll take you. I don’t want anything happening to you on the way. I’ll send the maid to help you."

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